NERC REELS OUT NEW SANCTIONS FOR DISCOS
NERC REELS OUT NEW SANCTIONS FOR DISCOS The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has disclosed that there will be new sanctions for Discos that failed to meet up some contractual agreements with customers and regulators. In an Order on Performance Monitoring Framework for all the DisCos, it said this will affect seven issues that would be used to assess their performance. “This includes energy off-take relative to partial contracted capacity; revenue recovery rate; compliance with reporting of a uniform system of accounts; compliance with API feeder streaming; compliance with the order on capping of estimated bills; compliance with the implementation of forum decisions; and compliance with service standards for the resolution of complaints received through the NERC contact centre and NERC headquarters,” it said. The order which was signed by NERC’s chairman, Sanusi Garbo, and Commissioner Legal, Licensing & Compliance, Dafe C. Akpeneye, added that the new order sought to hold the top management of each DisCos accountable for their compliance with reporting requirements and implementation of directives of the commission in line with the terms and conditions of the utility. “This will drive increased operational performance from DisCos thereby improving energy delivery to customers under their franchise area,” it said. The order stipulated that failure to off-take up to 95 per cent of available nominations in any month will attract issuance of a rectification directive. But the failure of any DisCo to off-take up to 95 per cent of available nominations in two of the three months in any quarter will attract a downward adjustment of DisCos guaranteed Admin OpEx by 5 per cent for the next quarter. Also, for any instance of a customer overbilled, 10 per cent of the naira value of the total over-billing for the period will be deducted from the DisCo’s annual Admin OpEx allowance during the next tariff review, and credit adjustment for overbilled customers. “If the energy overbilled is greater than 20 per cent of the allowed cap or the number of customers overbilled represent is greater than 20 per cent of unmetered customer base, the Commission may take other enforcement actions including the withdrawal of the KYL of the Head of Billing or the officer responsible for the billing function in the utility.“For non-compliance to the resolution of complaints through the NERC contact centre or headquarters after the expiration of timelines in the CPR, the DisCo would be made to pay fines within the first month -billing: N10,000 per day; disconnection: N2,000/day; interruption: N2,000/day; metering: N1,000/day; delay in connection: N1,000/day; Voltage: N1,000/day,” it said.
BUHARI’S MINISTER OF POWER COLLAPSES IN COURT
BUHARI’S MINISTER OF POWER COLLAPSES IN COURT The trial of Saleh Mamman, who served as the Minister of Power under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was postponed on Thursday after he fainted just outside the Federal High Court in Abuja. Mamman, who was scheduled to appear in court on Thursday morning for his trial, fainted before the proceedings began. The lawyer for Mamman, Femi Ate, SAN, informed Justice James Omotosho right after the trial was announced that Mamman needed to take his plea. When the trial resumed, the former minister entered the courtroom and took his place on the dock, with some of his clothing already soaked. Justice Omotosho then inquired about Mamman’s condition, asking if he was overheating or if it was raining outside. Mamman, from his position on the dock, replied that he had been drenched with water. The lawyer for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, while speaking in court, mentioned that the trial for Mamman had been scheduled, but there was an unexpected incident outside the courtroom. Olumide-Fusika explained that he had a conversation with Ate outside the courtroom regarding Mamman’s health issues. “I was informed of an incident outside. I will want my learned senior advocate to tell the honourable court himself,” he said. Addressing journalists on Thursday morning, Ate said Mamman, “Upon being brought into the premises of the court, he collapsed and had to be resuscitated and treated by the medical personnel of the Federal High Court.” Ate stressed that his client (Mamman), was served with the charge after he was resuscitated. “He was served this morning,” he added. The senior lawyer requested a delay in proceedings from Olumide-Fusika to ensure the arraignment could take place on Monday, when his client would be in a better state. However, the judge informed them that the court was so busy with cases that the arraignment could only be rescheduled for the end of September. Following this, Olumide-Fusika decided to cancel the request for a delay. Olumide-Fusika mentioned that he had corrected a typo in the defendant’s name earlier that morning and asked the court to inform Mamman of the updated charge, hoping he would give his plea. However, Justice Omotosho opposed this request. The judge then inquired if Mamman was capable of giving his plea today, to which he replied in the affirmative. The former minister explained to the court that he fainted outside the courtroom due to not eating and the effects of the drugs he had taken. While waiting outside, his blood pressure dropped. Mamman, on the other hand, stated that he was in good health and ready to proceed with the arraignment. “It can happen to anyone,” the judge said. The former minister stated to the judge that he notified his attorney about the mistake the EFCC made regarding the name included in the arrest warrant they presented to him. “I was complaining about the name, that it was not my own,” he said.However, Justice Omotosho then stepped down the arraignment until 1 pm today.
APPOINTMENT OF LOCAL GOVT CARETAKER COMMITTEES ILLEGAL – SUPREME COURT
APPOINTMENT OF LOCAL GOVT CARETAKER COMMITTEES ILLEGAL – SUPREME COURT The Supreme Court has nullified and declare as illegal appointment of Local Government Transition Council Committee. In an unanimous ruling by Justices of the Appeal Court delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the Apex court said it is unconstitutional to appoint Transition Council Chairmen and Councillors. The Supreme Court ruling states as follows 1. Allocations are to be paid directly to Local Government Councils immediately. 2. The Section of the Constitution for joint allocations automatically got deleted without NASS Amendment. 3. Appointment of Caretaker committees is illegal and unconstitutional, no governor has any powers to appoint any CTC. 4. That State governors have constituted themselves as dangerous species to the development of democracy..
IGP DIRECTS FORCE CID TO INVESTIGATE ENUGU CHIEF MAGISTRATE TO INVESTIGATE FRAUDULENT SALE OF PROPERTY
IGP DIRECTS FORCE CID TO INVESTIGATE ENUGU CHIEF MAGISTRATE OVER FRAUDULENT SALE OF PROPERTY The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has directed the Force Criminal Investigation Department to investigate Chief Magistrate Henry Asogwa, and his wife, Chibuzor Mamah, for a fraudulent sale and conversion of property belonging to Xaudre Limited and its Director, Dr. Josef Onoh. The directive followed a petition filed by Xaudre Limited through its lawyer, Mr Ray Nnaji on May 10, 2024. The IG through the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Criminal Investigation Department, in a letter dated May 16, 2024, assigned the investigation of the case to Team A, a crack detective with an order to investigate and make out its findings to him. The letter, with Ref CB:7000/X/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.639/181 addressed to The Commissioner of Police (Administration) Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department of the Nigeria Police, was signed by CSP Muhammed B. Gashua, for DIG FCIID, Abuja. It partly reads, “Re: Petition Against Barrister Henry C. Asogwa and wife, Madam Chibuzor Mamah, Prince Nnaemeka Ugwu, Mr Abah Maduabuchi, Mr Okafor Nnaemeka, Mr Nnamdi Amu, Mr Monday Onyia, Umeh Onyeka, Kelechi Ekezie (represented by relatives) and Mr. Ephriam Onodu for fraudulent transactions with regards to….” (Find an attached copy of a letter dated 14th May 2024 received from Hon Ray A. Nnaji & Associates on the above subject.) “The Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Criminal Investigation Department directs you treat and bring findings, please,” the directive ordered. The IG had in April, following a separate petition by Xaudre’s counsel, Ogochukwu Onyekwulwe, directed the Enugu State Police Commissioner, in a letter referenced CB:7000/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.710/90 to investigate – “RE: Complaint of Malicious Damage to Property by Barrister Asogwa Henry C. and Madam … “Attached herewith is a copy of a letter dated 26th April 2024 received from Ogochukwu Onyekwulwe and Co. on the above-underlined subject.” The letter, signed by Principal Staff Officer II to Inspector General of Police, ACP Idris Abdullahi Abubakar, reads, “I respectfully convey the directive of the Inspector-General of Police that you handle.” Meanwhile, a copy of the petition, sighted by South-East PUNCH, on Sunday, accused Asogwa, his wife, and nine buyers of conspiring to defraud Xaudre Limited and using policemen from the Central Police Station in Enugu to threaten its director and perpetuate the fraud. Asogwa, however, denied the allegations, claiming that Onoh was trying to tarnish his image. The petitioner had claimed that Asogwa used his position as a serving Chief Magistrate in the Enugu State judiciary and sold some plots of land at Tenerite Gardens Valley Estate Extensions, Forest Reserve, Onoh Quarters, Phase 3, Iva Valley, GRA, Enugu, after the same were allocated to some government appointees as compensatory plots with definite instruction to develop within a maximum period of one year or will be revoked without fail, had been revoked. It further alleged that they fraudulently sold plots at Tenerite Garden Valley Estate Extensions, and according to the petition, the plots of land sold are “Plots 13, 13a, 14, 15, 11, 18, 19, 20, 22b, 22e, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 28a. The petition added, “Thereafter, Mr Asogwa made himself chairman of the Estate and took advantage of it to personally convert the said plots with fictitious documents and therefore made several millions of naira from the sale for himself.” It explained that the said plots of land were originally allocated to some government appointees in 2017 without payment, “only on the condition that they will develop the plots allocated within one year or same will be revoked.” The petition added that when they failed to develop the same, their properties were revoked in 2018 of which notice of revocation was acknowledged and received by the allottees. The firm added, “We were shocked to…
Dons Eze
- Spirituality
- July 11, 2024
- 93 views
BIBLICAL EVIDENCE OF JESUS’ RACE, COLOUR & ETHNIC BACKGROUND
BIBLICAL EVIDENCE OF JESUS’ RACE, COLOUR & ETHNIC BACKGROUND Understanding the historical and ethnic background of Jesus is not just a fascinating scholarly pursuit but also enriches our comprehension of His earthly ministry and the context in which He lived. The Bible provides insights into His racial and physical characteristics, helping us understand that Jesus was a Galilean Semite of His day. This guide will explore biblical proofs and historical context to paint a more accurate picture of Jesus’ race and earthly appearance. Jesus was born into a Jewish family from the region of Galilee, specifically in the town of Nazareth. His genealogy is detailed in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, tracing His lineage back to Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation. Matthew 1:1-16 provides a detailed lineage, concluding with, “And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.” This genealogy firmly establishes Jesus as a descendant of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, all Semites, thus placing Him within the Jewish ethnic group. The cultural and geographical context of Galilee further supports Jesus’ Semitic identity. Galilee, located in the northern part of ancient Israel, was a predominantly Jewish region during Jesus’ time. The inhabitants of Galilee spoke Aramaic, a Semitic language closely related to Hebrew, which was the language of the Old Testament Scriptures. This linguistic detail aligns with several biblical accounts, such as Jesus speaking in Aramaic phrases like “Talitha koum” (Mark 5:41) and “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” (Matthew 27:46), reflecting His cultural and ethnic background. Jesus’ appearance would have been typical of a first-century Jewish man from the Middle East. Although the Bible does not provide a detailed physical description of Jesus, we can infer His appearance based on historical and cultural context. Isaiah 53:2 offers a prophetic glimpse, stating, “He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.” This suggests that Jesus’ appearance was ordinary and unremarkable, aligning with the typical features of His ethnic group. Furthermore, archaeological evidence and historical records from the first century indicate that Jewish men from Galilee would have had olive-toned skin, dark hair, and Middle Eastern facial features. These characteristics are consistent with the Semitic people of the region. Additionally, traditional Jewish customs, such as wearing fringed garments (tzitzit) as commanded in Numbers 15:38-39, would have been part of Jesus’ everyday attire, reflecting His adherence to Jewish law and customs. The New Testament provides additional clues about Jesus’ appearance and ethnic background. For instance, in John 4:9, when Jesus speaks with the Samaritan woman at the well, she recognizes Him as a Jew based on His appearance and accent, saying, “How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria?” This indicates that Jesus’ physical features and manner of speech were distinctly Jewish, further affirming His identity as a Galilean Semite. Moreover, Jesus’ participation in Jewish religious practices and festivals underscores His cultural and ethnic identity. Luke 2:41-42 recounts, “Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.” This passage highlights Jesus’ observance of Jewish customs from a young age, reflecting His upbringing in a devout Jewish household. The accounts of Jesus’ interactions with religious leaders and common people also provide insights into His identity. In Matthew 26:73, during Peter’s denial of Jesus, those around him say, “Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.” This indicates that Jesus and His disciples spoke with a Galilean accent, distinguishing them from other Jewish groups. This regional linguistic trait further…
INEC VERIFICATION PORTAL SHOWS APC GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE IN EDO NOT REGISTERED TO VOTE
INEC VERIFICATION PORTAL SHOWS APC GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE IN EDO, NOT REGISTERED TO VOTE The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September Edo 2024 election, Senator Monday Okpebholo, appears not to have registered to vote in Edo State. A check by SaharaReporters on the website of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), revealed the development, despite the politician submitting a voter card purportedly obtained from the Esan West Local Government Area. Okpebholo, who was inaugurated into the Nigeria’s 10th National Assembly, on June 13, 2023, as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, representing Edo Central Senatorial District, was declared the winner of the APC governorship primary election on February 23, 2024. According to the details submitted by Sen. Okpebholo in his Form EC9 affidavit, which was sworn to on March 5, 2024 at the Federal High Court in Abuja and subsequently published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), his full name is Monday Okpebholo, and he was born on August 29th, 1970 in Irrua, Esan Central Local Government. However, upon repeated verification on INEC’s official voter verification portal (https://cvr.inecnigeria.org/vvs), it was found that Sen. Okpebholo’s name is not registered to vote in any of the 18 local governments in Edo State, including his local government of Esan Central. The portal consistently returned a “Voter Not Found” message for the Senator. Meanwhile, the development has raised serious questions about the authenticity of the voter’s card that Sen. Okpebholo submitted to INEC as part of his Form EC9 documentation. While being registered to vote is not a constitutional requirement to run for Governorship or Senatorial seats, the presentation of a potentially forged card exposes the candidate to criminal litigation and post-election legal challenges. A source in INEC told SaharaReporters that the APC candidate may have submitted a fake card, adding that “what he submitted to INEC was deliberately blurred.” However, the source said that “this is not INEC headache. It is left for the opposition parties who are contestants in the coming election to take it up.” With the termination of the 2024 INEC Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) process, there is no opportunity for the Senator or his political party to legally remedy this situation before the September 21, 2024 Governorship election.SaharaReporters’ effort to reach Sen. Okpebholo for comment were unsuccessful as he could not be reached on telephone as of the time of filing this report.
BREAKING: FG FLOORS STATE GOVTS AS SUPREME COURT ORDERS DIRECT PAYMENT OF FUNDS TO LOCAL GOVTS
BREAKING: FG FLOORS STATE GOVTS AS SUPREME COURT ORDERS DIRECT PAYMENT OF FUNDS TO LOCAL GOVTS The Supreme Court has ordered all state governors to henceforth steer clear of the funds meant for the 774 local government areas of the country. The apex court ruled that the control of local government areas funds by states is unconstitutional. Recall that Justice Garba Mohammed Lawal had on Thursday, June 13, reserved judgment in the suit and announced that parties in the matter would be communicated once the judgment is ready. Justice Lawal, who led a seven-man panel of Justices of the Apex Court, announced the reservation of the judgment after the federal government and the governors presented their cases for adjudication.The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN presented the case of the federal government, while the 36 state governors presented their own cases through their lawyers.
REVOLT IN HOUSE OF REPS AS OVER 150 FIRST-TIME MEMBERS RISE AGAINST LEADERSHIP
REVOLT IN HOUSE OF REPS AS OVER 150 FIRST-TIME MEMBERS RISE AGAINST LEADERSHIP A fresh showdown is imminent in the House of Representatives as over 150 aggrieved first-time members are up in arms against the House leadership over alleged marginalisation and exclusion from legislative business. Already, the embittered federal lawmakers have formed a pressure group, codenamed “Novelty Group,” as a veritable platform for realising their mission and vision. The group’s inaugural meeting, initially scheduled for Abuja yesterday evening, was abruptly cancelled following the death of a House member, Hon Olaide Adewale Akinremi. Until his passage, Hon Akinremi represented Ibadan North Federal Constituency of Oyo State on the platform of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC). A member of the group said last night that a new date for the inaugural meeting would be made public after the mourning period for the departed lawmaker. An influential APC House member from one of the six states in the country’s South/South geopolitical zone (name withheld) is coordinating the group’s activities. It was learnt that membership of the dissenting group was growing as of Wednesday night. First-time members constitute about 75 percent of the 360-member House of Representatives. Findings further revealed that membership of the group cut across eight political parties with membership in the House, and six geopolitical zones of the country. Information available revealed that members of the splinter group were particularly angered that the House had become an appendage of the Presidency. One of the lawmakers explained that his colleagues were aggrieved by the way the House leadership easily buckled to the whims and caprices of the Presidency in passing executive bills and other sundry correspondences from the Presidency. He said his colleagues were concerned that the leadership had sacrificed their interests, well-being, and welfare due to its romance with the executive arm of government. Speaker Tajudeen Abbas was accused of not acting decisively and assertively enough to guarantee the House’s independence. It was further gathered that members of the group were plotting the impeachment of Abbas, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, House Leader Julius Ihonvbere and Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda. Reliable sources in the House revealed that the protesting lawmakers were uncomfortable with Kalu’s authoritarian tendencies and arrogant postures, especially when he was chosen to preside in Abbas’ absence. The first-term lawmakers were reported to be after Ihonvbere and Chinda for alleged failure to protect and sacrifice their interests due to pecuniary gains. Similarly, chairmen of the various House committees also incurred the wrath of the lawmakers for excluding them from the activities of the committees. They added that the chairmen willfully sidelined their deputies and other members of their committees in carrying out oversight functions and sharing of accruing benefits. They vowed to ensure a rejig of the House committees to weed out the uncooperative chairmen. It was further gathered that the forum also resolved “to deal with their oppressive first-time colleagues, who were fortunate to be made committee chairmen.” One of the lawmakers said, “We have passed executive bills in very unusual ways within hours without serious legislative industry, because we are a mere rubber-stamp of the Presidency. That is the way the House leadership, headed by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas presented us to the Presidency. “Most of the new members are suffering even though we all contested the same election, spending millions. We are treated with disdain as outcasts in the House by the so-called ranking members and our first-time colleagues who are fortunate to be made chairmen of the various committees. “Nigerians see us all as unmindful of their plight when, in fact, only a few in the leadership cadre benefit from whatever they accuse us of amassing.” “The executive, especially some ministers, have cornered the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs),…
- Foreign Affairs
- July 11, 2024
- 106 views
BETWEEN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND NIGERIAN ELECTIONS
BETWEEN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND NIGERIAN ELECTIONS July 4, 2024, was anticipated to be a pivotal moment, potentially reshaping the United Kingdom’s political landscape and future direction as the general elections were held. The hot race was among key parties and leaders including the Conservative Party led by the incumbent Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Labour Party led by Sir Keir Starmer, Liberal Democrats led by Ed Davey, Scottish National Party led by Humza Yousaf and the Green Party Co-led by Carla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay. The main issues for debate were the economy and the cost-of-living crisis, inflation, and economic recovery post-COVID-19; healthcare and the NHS funding and reform; climate change and the impact of environmental policies and green energy initiative; the lingering Brexit debate and future relationship with the EU; and finally social issues around immigration, education, and housing. There was also the issue of the incumbent Conservative Party leader, Rishi Sunak’s performance as PM, the Labour Party’s strategy to regain power after a decade in opposition as well as the influence of smaller parties or “Third Force” in Nigeria speak and potential for coalition governments. A Comparative Overview Electoral processes in the United Kingdom and Nigeria differ significantly in terms of structure, procedure, and political context. The UK operates a Parliamentary system, and general elections are held every five years but can be called earlier. The voting age is 18 years and older and voter registration is automatic and mandatory. Campaign finance is highly regulated with spending limits and public transparency. Voter turnout and participation is typically around 60-70 per cent with high levels of political awareness and media coverage. Key issues and campaigns are often around economic policies, including high cost of living, taxation, public spending, health and NHS reform, Brexit and climate change. Election administration in the UK is managed by the Electoral Commission, an independent body that oversees elections and regulates political finance. Security is generally low with low levels of election-related violence, limited use of technology and voting is predominantly paper-based. Voting takes place seamlessly from 7am to 10pm in polling stations situated in schools, community centres, churches etc. Paper ballots with a single ‘X’ mark next to the chosen candidate represent a vote. Post-election, government formation is seamless and quick, the party with the majority of seats in the House of Commons forms the government. Nigeria on the other hand operates a Presidential system of governance held every four years. The voting age is 18 years and older and requires proactive registration by voters. While campaign finance is regulated, enforcement and transparency issues exist. The major parties are the All Progressives Congress, People’s Democratic Party and the Labour Party. Voter turnout is lower at around 30-40 per cent. Political engagement is varied, with significant regional differences in voter engagement and participation. The key issues are around security with the Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, and regional conflicts taking centre stage. Others are the economy, diversification, unemployment, and poverty alleviation; corruption and governance reforms and critical infrastructure including roads, electricity, and public services in education, health and water. Elections are often marked by ethno-religious sentiments and voter apathy. The Independent National Electoral Commission oversees elections. Security is always very high because of high levels of election-related violence and security concerns. Technology plays a significant role with the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for voter registration and results transmission, but challenges remain. Voting hours are from 8am to 2pm but voters in line by 2pm can still vote and it can take a whole day to vote. Schools, public buildings, open spaces serve as polling stations and paper ballots are used with voters marking their choice with thumbprints. The President is elected separately from the legislature…
PREPARE YOUR DEFENCE FOR ANTI-CORRUPTION AGENCIES, KADUNA ASSEMBLY REPLIES EL-RUFAI’S MEN
PREPARE YOUR DEFENCE FOR ANTI-CORRUPTION AGENCIES – KADUNA ASSEMBLY REPLIES EL-RUFAI’S MEN The Kaduna State House of Assembly has urged former political appointees of Malam Nasir El-Rufai to prepare their defence for the anti-corruption agencies and the courts. The assembly said this while responding to the challenge by some former members of El-Rufai’s cabinet. At a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, some former commissioners disputed the assembly’s report which accused some of them and the former governor of misappropriating N423 billion. The ex-commissioners outlined financial details from El-Rufai’s eight-year tenure, asserting that the assembly’s report was politically motivated and aimed at tarnishing their administration’s achievements. They said while El-Rufai had taken legal action to enforce his fundamental human rights and was currently barred from commenting on the matter, they had stepped forward to clarify what they termed a biased report intended to damage their reputation. But in a statement on Wednesday, Barrister Henry Magaji, Chairman of the Fact-Finding Committee and Deputy Speaker of the Kaduna Assembly, denounced the “attempts by the former political appointees to cover up allegations of massive looting and mismanagement of state resources during the last administration”. According to him, the press conference by the ex commissioners was nothing more than a rehash of baseless accusations and failed to address the core issue which is the massive looting of the state’s resources. He explained that the assembly’s investigation revealed a monumental heist disguised as project execution, uncovering poorly executed, abandoned, and imaginary projects in the state “We urge the former political appointees to prepare their defence for the anti-corruption agencies and the courts,” the statement read. “The House of Assembly is not in a battle of wits with them; we have fulfilled our duty to the people of Kaduna State.” Barrister Henry said the Assembly made it clear that it is distancing itself from the malfeasance of the previous administration, saying the probe was conducted in line with their constitutional mandate and in response to public demand. He emphasized that they were elected representatives accountable to the people of the state, pointing out that the probe was conducted in furtherance of their oath to advance the state’s interests. He said those attempting to denigrate the House and cover up the alleged fraud represent no one but themselves.The Assembly is currently involved in a legal battle with Malam Nasir El-Rufai over the issue of fair hearing but refrained from commenting further due to the sub-judice nature of the case.